A former coworker said that to me more than 20 years ago, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten. To this day, I still take extreme pride in keeping my desk neat and tidy. After all, nothing says polished and professional like a clean, organized work space.

For the longest time, I put off applying that same standard at home. I’d managed to convince myself that I was always too busy, too stressed or too tired. And, I paid for it dearly. No less than three times a week (and, my husband can attest to this), I would end up rifling through my closet and my chest drawers desperately hunting for that one item that I could have sworn I just saw last week!

It was a vicious, maddening cycle. Not to mention a huge waste of time. That’s why I was so happy when I recently discovered that January is National Get Organized Month! It’s just the motivation I needed to get my house in order. Literally.

Once I made the choice to throw away all of my excuses, I got to work. Instead of doing a complete home makeover, I decided to start small, with just a single room. Otherwise, it would have been too overwhelming. And, I wanted to be totally honest with myself. I know personal style far better than I know interior design, so I swallowed my pride and reached out for help.

That’s when I found Kathy Greene, a visual coordinator over at The Balanced Room. She helped transform one of our favorite rooms in the house from blah to ta-dah! Using pieces we already had, Kathy was able to create a space that’s just as inviting as it is organized.

BEFORE

AFTER

It’s been a few weeks since the room was completed and as crazy as it might sound, it really has helped bring some order to my chaotic world; removing both the physical and mental clutter I’d been living with for far too long.

In many ways, my eyes have been opened to possibilities that, ironically, were always in front of me, but I never had the vision to truly see. What an awesome feeling that is!

What do you think about the room refresh? Are you as amazed by the change as I am? Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Awesome transformation! I recently changed the paint color in my living room and kitchen to a pretty soft yellow and it brighten up the room. Every time I walked through the door I’m just amazed at what a simple paint job will do. When the sun is shining through it makes the room seem so much bigger. It’s just a refreshing feeling! Thanks for sharing!